County opinion on zoning could leave Whitefish vulnerable to asphalt and gravel plants

My family lives in Kalispell and we are concerned about a recent opinion issued by Mr. Forrest Sanderson, the Flathead County Planning Department Director. Mr. Sanderson recently stated that county zoning only applies to the gravel industry (gravel pits, asphalt plants, concrete plants, crushers, etc.) in areas that have "residential" in the zoning title. The impacts of this opinion are monumental. The county needs to reverse this opinion for the following reasons.

The Flathead County Planning Department is siding with the gravel industry and not protecting many familes' health, quality of life and private property rights. We could have a new gravel pit, asphalt plant or concrete plant go in our neighborhood and not have any input into these operations.

Mr. Sanderson has completely reversed 11 years of county policy. The county needs to be consistent with past policy. Numerous planning professionals across the state feel Mr. Sanderson's opinion is incorrect. Citizens in other counties have their rights protected. Flathead County should do the same.

Because of this opinion, gravel industry operations could go into downtown Lakeside, near downtown Bigfork or at the base of Big Mountain. Residents in these areas did not want the gravel industry in these areas when zoning was established. The county needs to respect the desires of these property owners.

If this ruling stands, Flathead County will be the only major county in the state that does not require gravel operations to meet local zoning laws in neighborhood areas. Citizens in other counties have their rights protected. Flathead County should do the same. A large portion of allowed zoning uses in my neighborhood are residential. The county should protect these residential areas from the negative affects of the gravel industry. As a result of this opinion, eighty to ninety percent of the property in Flathead County is not covered by zoning regulations with regard to the gravel industry. This ruling affects thousands of property owners throughout the county. Also, there has been very little public notice to the affected property owners of this change.

Because of this opinion, gravel industry operations could go into the Little Bitterroot Lake, Hubbart Dam, Rogers Lake or Ashley Lake zoning districts. Residents in these areas did not want the gravel industry in these areas when zoning was established. The county needs to respect the desires of these property owners.

Because of this opinion, gravel industry operations could go into the Labrant/Lindsey Lane, West Valley or North Fork neighborhood zoning districts without any neighborhood input. One of the purposes in establishing county zoning in these areas was to make sure property owners could provide local input into gravel industry changes in their neighborhood. The county needs to respect the desires of these property owners. There will be a meeting on this issue with the County Adjustment Board on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the 2nd floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. West in Kalispell.

As I stated, this ruling affects thousands of property owners across the county. If you are interested in these issues I urge you to attend the meeting and contact the County Commissioners and the Adjustment Board.

Todd Spangler

Kalispell